Is death a part of your exit strategy?

Have you ever thought about how devastating it could be to your business should either you or a key employee be suddenly taken seriously ill or die?

Not a nice thought to dwell upon I know, but a question worth asking yourself.

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of men and women in the UK and a leading cause of permanent disability, whilst stroke is the biggest cause of disability and the third most common cause of death.

Fortunately, many diseases are preventable if the risks are detected early enough. Yet because many diseases show few or no symptoms at all, they go unnoticed, often until it’s too late.

These days we’re encouraged to plan an exit strategy – is death part of yours?

As well as the distress this causes your loved ones, the devastation that serious disease or sudden death brings impacts on everything around you including your business.

The good news is that the risk of experiencing such a catastrophe can often be pre-empted and avoided. What’s more its not difficult to do. For a small outlay, a tiny hour out of your day and a miniscule amount of effort to pick up the phone and book an appointment, you can avoid a lot of heartache.

Health Yourself make it as easy and convenient as possible to get checked out by offering screening days in the workplace, sports club, community group or at one of our local clinics.

Can’t spare the time? Your a long time dead!

Recessionary health

Health, alongside recession are two areas constantly in the news at the moment and it’s no surprise there is a strong correlation between the two. 

Doctors are reporting increasing levels of stress related illness as economic uncertainty rises.

BBC diary doctor Dr Nicola Jones based at the Brocklebank Health Centre in Wandsworth, London is concerned for her patients’ health at work, as they feel the need to work longer hours in the hope of safeguarding their jobs. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7939805.stm

From back pain, to anxiety, depression to addiction, her patients’ health is suffering in part because of the office.

Personal circumstances are always a key element in stress levels which manifests itself in a wide range of symptoms and often exacerbates underlying health issues.

Add to this the threat of job losses, debt and reduced leisure spending then it’s not that surprising that stress is a major player amongst people.

Furthermore companies, especially those who are cutting back on jobs, working hours and salaries could do more to increase staff morale at little or no cost to the company.

healthYourself’s in-house health screening packages can be easily adapted to suit the client’s budget.  A small outlay in employee benefits demonstrates how much the business cares and values their employees by offering alternative compensation to the workforce – far less costly than a salary increase which may still be some way ahead.

Whilst we’re unable to guarantee an immediate healthier outlook of the economy, we can at least look to contribute to employee health and wellbeing.

Food Allergies: Is it all in our heads?

‘Food allergies: Is it all in our heads?’ the BBC’s One Show asked in January

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theoneshow/consumer/2009/01/27/food-allergies-is-it-all-in-yo.html

Clare Balding investigated food allergies and intolerances and asked if we’ve become too fussy about the food we eat.

Nutritionist Azmina Govindji warned against the dangers of self-diagnosis. She recommends a visit to the doctor if you are worried about an allergy or intolerance.

Celebrity culture was also mentioned. Has the rise in allergies come in part from celebrity culture and the way that we model ourselves on those in the public eye?

Amongst the many responses one contributor commented:

“Where are all these doctors willing to test you for food intolerance and allergies? My doctor just says the tests are unreliable and fob’s you off. So your only choice is to self diagnose and try to find things that make you feel better.”

Sadly this is the all too common statement I receive from my clients seeking answers to their symptoms and looking to improve health and quality of life.

“Food Intolerances should be taken seriously, ESPECIALLY by nutritionists and doctors, shame on those who ‘dumb it down’.”  Why is it so difficult to take food intolerance seriously?

Frustration from sufferers is also evident regarding the consistently negative reporting of the subject: “As usual the BBC is totally irresponsible in covering a topic involving the health of the nation. Why they choose columnists and dieticians to discuss food allergy is beyond me. As for the advice that allergy needs to be confirmed by a doctor…. These are the same doctors that have had approximately NO training in nutrition and health issues surrounding diet and lifestyle. Dieticians are not much better. Food allergy and food intolerance are 2 very different things…..very real and not at all a FAD”.

There are many similar comments obviously posted by those unfortunate enough to suffer from common, everyday complaints which, though not life threatening, make life miserable none the less. The fact is that food intolerance tests are not available through the NHS even privately. This is why perhaps thousands of people each year resort to a therapist practitioner to find relief, and where word of mouth referral is powerful in providing these practices with clients. The medical profession’s main reluctance in acknowledging food intolerance is the lack of scientific validity. Therapy is not an exact science, this can also can be said of homeopathy, acupuncture, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and in fact many other areas of medicine. It doesn’t invalidate or discredit it; it just makes it less than perfect.

For those patients who are referred by GP’s for further investigations into symptoms it is only right and proper to eliminate serious disease and I heartily agree that this is the correct procedure to be followed. However there are many who are told they have to either ‘live with it’ or ‘try an elimination diet’ in the belief that nothing more can be done.

The gold standard in treating food intolerance or sensitivity is an elimination diet, with or without a test. Great, we all agree so far, but it could take a lifetime to find the right one! And this is the crux, how do you know what to eliminate? The purpose of a private test is simply to take the slog out of the almost impossible task of identifying the culprit(s). The procedure is safe, simple and non-invasive and a good practitioner will ensure clients maintain a balanced healthy diet.

In the meantime patients continue to suffer because media channels prefer to ridicule both those helping and being helped. Surely a better scoop would be to follow a real live case study?

Hello world!

personal world of health.

Most people would agree that their own personal health and wellbeing must rank at the top of their list of priorities.

The problem is, however, that we are constantly bombarded with yet another health warning, the findings of a new study, contradictory advice in general or a persistant ‘nanny state’ telling us that they know what’s best for us.

Often some of it, at times most of it and occassionally none of it is absolutely valid, but not always helpful to the lay person who just wants to give themselves a fighting chance and make the most of what life might throw up.

I’m not advocating excess and I take on board moderation has to be the key to good health, but I’m a girl who likes a  glass of vino and lo and behold it seems even this modest pleasure can put me at significant risk of another life threatening disease if its a large one!  What is not stated is that in reality I’m likely to develop a serious psychological malfunction without one.